Save the Date for Jackson’s Best Festivals of 2015

To state the obvious, it’s cold outside in Michigan. To fight the mad case of cabin fever I have, I’ve decided to start dreaming of the summer and for me summer means festivals. I plan my summer around the festivals. They are my favorite part of the summer: deep fried candy bars, live music, and being outside in the heat. I love it!

While you are circling the dates for Art Prize, National Cherry Festival, and Tulip Time Festival, don’t forget to add these Jackson festivals to your calendar:

Ok, so I kick off my Jackson festival season late winter with the Annual Southern Michigan Winter Beer Festival at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. At least they have campfires! The festival features more than 150 craft, specialty and import beers, food vendors, live music, and a corn hole competition. This is an in and outdoor event so dress warmly. Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door and are available at JacksonCountyFair.net/BeerFest.

Storytelling is a lost art form that I find completely fascinating. With only words, tone of voice, and body language these storytellers can engage and entertain as well as a blockbuster movie. Jackson Storyfest has been celebrating the art of storytelling for 28 years. A special Thursday performance is geared toward seniors, Friday evening is for adults, and Saturday keeps the whole family entertained. The best part about this festival? It’s free to attend!

The Michigan Wine and Beer Fest presented by Experience Jackson is centered-around Michigan Wine, Beer, and Food at Michigan International Speedway. Attendees can taste their new favorite wine or beer then bring it home from the on-site store. Don’t miss the food pairings, vendor displays, and hot lap rides around the fastest track in NASCAR!

Three days of live blues music at the Jackson County Airport, including some of the best blues musicians from Detroit to Chicago and beyond. Crowds gather in the thousands, toting lawn chairs and the whole family as even children can get involved with a harmonica lesson on Friday.

The 11th Annual Art, Beer and Wine Festival will be bigger and better than ever with Michigan wineries, breweries, and cider mills, artists from every media, and live musicians nestled on the grounds of the Ella Sharp Museum and historic Farm Lane.

The 57th Annual Jackson County Rose Parade is one of the largest parades in Michigan featuring the lovely Rose Queen Court and over 100 entries. After the parade, the Picnic in the Park begins at Ella Sharp Park with a Fire Truck Pull Competition, Chicken BBQ dinners, and other family friendly activities.

The official Michigan Shakespeare Festival brings high quality award winning theatrical productions to the Potter Center at Jackson College. This premier event has celebrated the Great Bard for over 20 years. This year the company will perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Henry IV and Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s: The Rivals.

One of the most beloved festivals of Jackson, the Hot Air Jubilee will amaze and inspire guests with hot air balloons that fill the sky. The festival continues to entertain on the ground with activities like Kid’s Kingdom, arts and crafts booths, food and merchandise vendors, and live entertainment. Being located at Ella Sharp Park allows visitors to take advantage of visiting Ella Sharp Museum, Hurst Planetarium and Ella Sharp Putt-Putt Golf too.

This big country music festival returns to Michigan International Speedway with Florida-Georgia Line, Carrie Underwood, and Brad Paisley headlining. Accommodations available at both on-site camping or nearby hotels. Tickets go on sale Feb. 2 at 10 a.m. at FasterHorsesFestival.com.

The two-day street festival returns for year two combining the Taste of Jackson with a juried art fair, live entertainment, wine and beer tasting, and kid’s activities. This event will draw thousands of people to shop, play, and enjoy Downtown Jackson.

Jackson County puts on a truly quintessential fair. Throughout fair week, the fair hosts a variety of concerts which attract attendees from far and wide as well as 4-H animals, arts & crafts displays, midway rides, games, and food vendors.

Celebrating over 30 years in Jackson, the Midwest’s largest and longest running civil war muster reenacts two historic battles at 2 p.m. each day. For 2015, the battles are The Battle of Bentonville and The Battle of Appomattox with Lee’s Surrender. Other activities include the military ball, cavalry demonstrations, medical scenarios, Sutler’s Row, arts and crafts, Historic Jacksonburg, and live music.

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I am the Communications Director for Experience Jackson. I manage the social media @ExperienceJxn, email newsletters, blogging and website content. I grew up in Jackson, Mich. and returned after attending college at Ball State University in Muncie, Ind. When not working, I enjoy cooking and traveling, always looking for the next culinary or cultural adventure.